Changing Car Oil
Hopefully our FAQ section has answered some of the questions you may have about changing the oil in your car. However, if you would like more information, we have the produced the following guide and video to help you understand the subject in greater detail.
Changing the oil in a car is an essential part of keeping a vehicle healthy and safe. Engine oil is the lubricant that keeps the numerous moving parts moving without friction.
You will know when you need to change the oil in your car as soon as the yellow light on your dashboard comes on. As soon as this happens you should take your car to a garage to have the oil changed, if you ignore the yellow light, you’ll be in trouble!
Changing oil is recommended every 3000-5000km, however if you have a special synthetic oil, you may be able to go 10,000 miles before changing.
However, if you drive your car fast, live in a hot, cold or dusty environment, you may need to change the oil in your car more often. If you have an older car you may need to have the oil changed more frequently too.
If you don't change the oil in your car, it is highly likely that you will suffer breakdown as the parts in your car will overheat and break as a result of the friction buildup.
Having the oil changed on your car is not a complicated job however it can be a very messy as it involves draining old oil from underneath the car a new batch being poured in.
It is essential that your filter is also changed as your engines performance depends greatly on the distribution of oil throughout the system.
The filter allows dirt and debris to be carried out of the car engine which is vital to keep it running, however, much like a hoover, the filter can become clogged up and the performance of the whole system is effected as a result.
The mechanic who is changing your oil will also clean the filter as this is part of having your oil changed.
If you want to learn how to change the oil in your car and do the job yourself, you can, however you will need specialist tools and supplies to replace oil yourself.
Changing the oil in your car is vitally important so checking the levels in your car should be something you do every month.
There are also several types of oil and oil filter which are manufactured to work in certian engines. Find out from the car owner’s manual which oil and filter is correct for your car, the main types are;
Synthetic motor oil
This is the highest grade of oil as it is created by oil engineers, scientists and chemists who control the ingredients in a highly measured and calculated way. This oil will have the highest levels of lubrication and engine protection which will keep your engine running smoothly and guard against heat build-up.
Synthetic blend motor oils
This type of oil is a mixture between conventional oils and the synthetic type described above. This type of oil is recommended for cars, vans, lorries and heavy loaded vehicles as is contains excellent low-temperature properties.
High-mileage motor oil
If you have an older car this is the oil for you. Some high mileage, high performance cars are better served by synthetic oil. However, this blend of oil has a unique mixture of additives and viscosity, this oil will have reduced burn off, will help seal oil leaks and will also help improve the combustion chamber sealing which in turn improves engine compression.
Conventional motor oil
Conventional oil comes in many grades, based on viscosity (thickness and fluidity), with each grade being blended to suit a particular car, environment and driving style.
Make sure you use the right oil if you are replacing it yourself or if you’re getting it completed by a garage.
You should be able to find what oil you need by looking in your car owner’s manual, this is important because if you put the wrong oil in your car you could face trouble!
Finding a mechanic you can trust to do a good job and charge a fair price, is not always easy which is why we simplified the process.
We work with a network of 10,000 mechanics and garages across the UK so we can find competitive steering and suspension repair deals for you.
To find the best oil replacement in your region;
- Enter your car registration number
- Give us a few details about your car and your requirements
- We’ll send you a great selection of quotes from mechanics and garages in your area
You can then compare the quotes and read reviews from previous customers to find the best deal in your area, before booking the oil replacement online. 